Sports Injuries - An Athlete’s Worst Nightmare

This is the first of a three part series on Managing Sports Injuries

What do Michael Jordan, Michael Owen, Tiger Woods have in common?

They are both the outstanding athletes in the world. They earned millions of dollars in salaries and endorsements. And they have all suffered injuries that kept them out from playing in the sport they love for a considerable period of time

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan was chosen as the number 3 pick in the 1984 NBA draft. He was expected to make an impact as the 3rd overall draft pick but few could imagine just how sensational he was. In his first season, he captured the imagination of fans all over the country with his gravity-defying dunks.

However in just his second season,  he would suffer a knee injury that would kept him out for most of the season. Although we know later that Michael Jordan would go on to remain healthy for the most part of his career, we also know that even the greatest of NBA legends could not escape the backlash of injuries.

Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods’ most recent activity was of course at the U.S Open at Torrey Pines. His heroics there must rank amongst the greatest golf games of all-time. In winning his 14th major with a limping left leg, Woods personified the quality that “if you believe you can, you can“, despite how adverse the situation could be.

However two days after winning the U.S. Open, Woods announced that he would be required to undergo reconstructive anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery on his left knee. His injury was so bad that after Torrey Pines, Woods would have to miss the remainder of the 2008 golf season including the final two major championships.

Michael Owen

Michael Owen was sensational for Liverpool and England in his early days. Who could forget the wonder goal he scored against Argentina or the hat-trick against Germany? Owen was also the first England player in 20 years to win the Ballon d’Or (European player of the year) in 2001.

However despite his remarkable scoring ability, he could not display his talent and help his team to win games, because he was missing games with various injuries most of the time!

Injuries are truly an Athlete’s worst nightmare

All professional athletes want to compete and take part in games, and usually the only thing that stops them is sports injuries.

To athletes like Jordan, Woods and Owen, they are considered the lucky lot who recovered and continue to play the sport. There have been many promising athletes who had to end their career because of injuries.

To most athletes, playing sports is the only thing they know. It is their way of life and defines who they are. Sitting out for the rest of their life because of career ending injuries not only could make them lose their sense of identity but also their chance at financial independence.

Sports Injuries Are Inevitable

As much as we would like things to go our way every time, it is just not possible to avoid sport injury. The very nature of sport involves an extensive internal movement of joints, tendons, expansion and contraction of muscles to perform the actions required.

Since sports injuries are inevitable, it is critical to know how to administer proper treatment of the injury and an even more important part - how to prevent such injuries from happening again.

Benefits Of Building A Strong Aerobic Base

It is absolutely essential for anyone to build a strong aerobic base before embarking on high intensity exercise which are usually anaerobic in nature. Read more

Aerobic vs Anaerobic Exercise

Foundation training can never be overemphasized.

For retired sportsmen or sportsmen whom have not exercise for some time, it is tempting to go straight back to exercising at the same level intensity as before.

Even for active professional athletes, it is important to note that you cannot be training at high intensity 365 days a year. During off peak season, you would benefit from a systematic, properly planned aerobic training. Read more

Importance Of Warming Up And Cooling Down

When i was younger, i will jump straight into playing a game without warming up. Back then of cos, i do not feel much ill effects, as the exuberance of youth overwhelms any muscles soreness.

Now i can hardly walk properly after a basketball game where i do brief warm up and cooling down…

It is easy to understand why people always want to jump into games without warming up. Your friends are already playing and they need one more person to form up a team. The pleasure of playing, the adrenaline, is definitely more enticing than the boring routine of stretching your limbs… Read more

Motivation is What Gets You Started, Habit is what keeps you Going…

Recently accompanied my gf to Fitness First Gym. I saw two wonderful taglines in the gym that i felt obliged to share them.

Motivation is What Get You Started, Habit is what keeps you Going…

How often do we find ourselves so eager to start some exercise routine, perhaps after watching some adrenaline pumping movie, or after playing volleyball with friends who have really hot bod, and find our enthusiasm fizzling out just as quickly?

The key is to make your routines a habit. I did not understand this until i experienced for myself. About 2 months ago, i went for reservist. (In Singapore, we are a conscripted army, and guys have to serve 2 years in the army, and after that, about 2 weeks every year for a period of about 10 years). My reservist course schedule comprises of morning jogs for almost everyday. I never jog regularly, let alone jog everyday, and i was finding the going rather tough. Read more